The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 Preseason is in the books, and all eyes have shifted to Tuesday’s cut-down day. An estimated 47 players will be released as the organization tries solidifying its 53-man roster, hoping to field a Super Bowl-caliber team.
The 49ers do not have many lingering questions, but there are select positions with openings toward the bottom of the depth chart. Who will be the sixth wide receiver? Will Shanahan ride the Cam Latu rollercoaster or elect to keep an extra edge rusher, with the severity of Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos’ injuries unknown?
Those are the debates raging in San Francisco’s front office, but with the team still trying to negotiate new deals with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams, let us take a stab at predicting the final 53-man roster.
Quarterback: 3
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Starter: Brock Purdy
Backups: Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs
Practice Squad: Tanner Mordecai
Reasoning:The 49ers’ questions at the quarterback position are strictly related to the backup position. No matter the victor, Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs will make the Niners’ roster and play a pivotal role either on the scout team or relieving Brock Purdy if necessary.
Running Back: 5
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Starters: Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)
Backups: Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Guerendo
Practice Squad: Cody Schrader and Matt Breida
Reasoning: Jordan Mason looks to have won the primary backup role to Christian McCaffrey after a stellar preseason. Isaac Guerendo’s impressive debut could propel him to a key special teams role. Elijah Mitchell will likely be the “vet” backup, as Shanahan has an affinity for his running style, but Cody Schrader is a dark horse to steal the final roster spot. Either way, expect the 49ers to want to retain Schrader’s services and keep old friend Matt Breida around as an emergency option.
Wide Receiver: 6
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Starters: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jaun Jennings
Backups: Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley and Jacob Cowing
Practice Squad: Ronnie Bell, Trent Taylor and Tay Martin
Reasoning: As frustrating as it may be, Brandon Aiyuk will likely be a 49er. When he eventually signs, he will round out arguably the deepest receiver room in the NFL. Because of the increased depth, say goodbye to former third-round pick Danny Gray (unless he is put on Injured Reserve for the second consecutive season.) Ronnie Bell and Trent Taylor feel destined for the practice squad, as neither has a clear role. There is a chance first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is place on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury, but even if San Francisco needs to buy him time, Chris Conley and Jacob Cowing can more than fill the role of fourth wide out.
Tight End: 4
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Starter: George Kittle
Backups: Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis and Cameron Latu
Practice Squad: Jake Tonges
Reasoning: The depth at the tight end position is concerning. Eric Saubert is a solid veteran. He can block and has surprisingly good enough hands. But Brayden Willis and Cameron Latu have been the epitome of inconsistent. One play they are making a hole-opening block and propelling running backs for extra yards. The next, Willis and Latu are dropping passes and forgetting their assignments. Shanahan cannot trust them, but he may have to — unless recently re-signed Logan Thomas is trick up Shanahan’s sleeve.
Offensive Line: 9
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Starters: Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz
Backups: Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford, Jarrett Kingston and Chris Hubbard
Practice Squad: Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj
Injured Reserve: Jon Feliciano
Reasoning: Trent Williams should be back by Week 1 vs. the Jets, completing the 49ers’ starting offensive line. Unfortunately, the backups are a pick your poison. Jaylon Moore feels like a lock for the backup left tackle job, while Spencer Burford has starting experience at right guard. Rookie Jarrett Kingston should clinch a spot after a strong preseason, and Chris Hubbard is a more proven right tackle option than anyone remaining on the roster. Once Jon Feliciano returns from injury, somebody will be the odd man out, but that is a conversation for another time.
Defensive Line: 8
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Starters: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd
Backups: Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens, Jordan Elliot and Robert Beal Jr.
Practice Squad: Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson and T.Y McGill
Injured Reserve: Kalia Davis and Drake Jackson
Reasoning: Watching Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos suffer knee injuries in the preseason finale was stomach-churning. While neither seems long-term, it was another reminder San Francisco lacks edge-rushing depth. Expect San Francisco to improve the room via trade or signing another team’s scraps. Injuries to Kalia Davis and Drake Jackson complicate things, but the interior defensive line is arguably deeper than ever. Knowing San Francisco, the defensive line is where they will stash the most practice squad players, so do not be surprised if Jonathan Garvin finds his way on the roster at some point.
Linebacker: 5
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Starters: Fred Warner and De’Vondre Campbell Sr.
Backups: Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson and Tatum Bethune
Practice Squad: Demetrius-Flannigan Fowles and Jalen Graham
Physically Unable to Perform: Dre Greenlaw
Reasoning: The 49ers should ride the wave of their young linebackers. De’Vondre Campbell is a safe bet to start opposite Fred Warner, but Dee Winters forced his way into the conversation after a strong preseason. As Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles fell down the depth chart, perennial practice squad player Curtis Robinson has finally found his footing. 2024 seventh-round pick Tatum Bethune has shown enough to unseat Jalen Graham for the sixth and final spot after leading the team with 23 preseason tackles.
Cornerback: 6
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Starters: Charvarius “Mooney” Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom
Backups: Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin and Darrell Luter Jr.
Practice Squad: Chase Lucas
Injured Reserve: Ambry Thomas
Reasoning:It is only a matter of time before 2024 second-round pick Renard Green starts. Green and veteran Isaac Yiadom are still jockeying for the third and final starting role, a competition Kyle Shanahan has yet to decide. Darrell Luter Jr and Rock Ya-Sin round out the rest of the cornerback room with their ability to play on the outside. Samuel Womack and Chase Lucas are practice squad candidates, but expect San Francisco to value Lucas’ near 300 special team snaps over Womack’s fun yet erratic play.
Safety: 4
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Starters: Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum
Backups: Malik Mustapha and Tracy Walker
Practice Squad: Jalen Mahoney
Physically Unable to Perform: Talanoa Hufanga
Reasoning: The idea of Ji’Ayir Brown, Talanoa Hufanga, and 2024 fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha running wild in the backend of the defense is exciting. That much playmaking ability at one position is bombarding 49ers fans with flashbacks of the Harbaugh-era tandem of Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner. Hufanga is nearing a return from a torn ACL. In the meantime, veteran George Odum is penciled in to start, and Tracy Walker will serve as an accomplished depth piece.
Special Teams: 3
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Starters: Jake Moody, Mitch Wishnowsky and Taybor Pepper
Reasoning: Does anybody still care?
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